Media and governance expert, Benjamin Offei-Addo has observed that a weak regulation regime within the media space will result in a democracy that is ineffective in addressing issues of public interest.
Speaking at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) in Accra on Friday, the media practitioner warned that the consequences of allowing political interests to dominate the media ecosystem were dire.
He was of the view that an unregulated media arena could endanger national unity, adding that few stood to benefit from such arrangement.
“What happens if nothing changes? he quizzed. “The media will continue to be dominated by partisan interest leading to an erosion of public trust in the media. Political communication will become increasingly polarized, exacerbating divisions and undermining national cohesion.”
He continued: “The result will be a democracy that is less responsive to the needs of the people and less focused on advancing the interests of a few.”
Bringing up former American president, Abraham Lincoln’s words on democracy, he reminded his audience that the political system the country had adopted was “by the people, of the people and for the people”.
Mr. Offei-Addo argued that undermined public trust could lead to a point where citizens are unwilling to participate in the democratic process.
“The erosion of public interest in the media will weaken democratic institutions and processes leading to a decline in voter turnout and civic engagements,” he said.
The media expert said the consistently low turnout during the District Assembly elections was a wake-up call for stakeholders to take urgent action to rekindle public interest in our constitutional democracy.
Mr. Offei-Addo was the keynote speaker during the maiden International Political Communication Conference organized by Professor Etse Sikanku and the Center for Public Discourse and Analysis.
The event brought together lecturers, staff and students of UniMAC as well as journalists from both mainstream and new media.
